Biology

Typhlosion is a badger-like Pokémon with a bulky yet agile body. Typhlosion is classified as a quadruped, but it is capable of bipedal movement and is frequently depicted standing on its hind legs. When its mouth is open, it shows its thick tongue and sharp canines. It has a short snout and small eyes and ears. Typhlosion's face, underside, arms, and legs are a shade of cream, and its back is dark blue. On Typhlosion’s rear, there is a spiky, coarse fringe of fur. Across the back of its neck, there are several red spots that produce fire in battle. Typhlosion will make anything go up in flames when angered, and generates shimmering heat from its body when it is ready for battle. Though it is rare in the wild, some can be found living on grasslands.

In the manga

In the Pokémon Adventures manga

Gold's Quilava, named Exbo, evolved into Typhlosion in Lively Lugia III to protect Silver, Crystal, and himself from Lugia. Afterwards, his larger size allowed him to be a method of faster travel (akin to Crystal's Arcanine), and with his increased power allowed Gold to hold his own and even overpower the Masked Man.

Origin

The appearance of this Pokémon is mainly based on the honey badger. It may also be reminiscent of weasels and wolverines. It has a long and agile body, like weasels, though it is significantly larger and thicker than its pre-evolutions.

Name origin

Typhlosion is a combination of typhoon and explosion. Its name is also similar to the word typhus, a Greek word meaning 'hazy' (which would describe the effect that the intense heat Typhlosion generates has on the air surrounding it), and it may also be related to tephra (volcanic material). It could also derive from Typhon, a monster in Greek mythology who fathered many other monsters with his wife, Echidna; Cyndaquil resembles an echidna.